NHL Prospect Profile: Bowen Byram

– Bowen Byram –

Vancouver Giants (WHL) | Left Defence | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada | June 13, 2001 | 6-foot-1, 191-pounds

Bowen Byram is a reliable, minute-munching defenceman who can be trusted to play in all situations, in all three zones. He skates incredibly well and loves to transition the game from defence to offence. He has the confidence to join the rush and earned some powerplay time with the Giants in 2017-18 as well, totalling six goals and 27 points in 60 games.

On the defensive side, Byram is an efficient player who maintains tight gaps along the wall and uses smart stick and body positioning to force opponents into the corners. Bowen played an imperative role on Team Canada’s top-pairing at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he played at a point-per-game clip.

Strengths:

• Skating
• Two-Way Play
• Transitioning

Byram is a relentless skater and a hound on the puck in all three zones. Most significantly, he remains very quick and agile when skating backwards, allowing him to retreat to his position even after pinching into the play. A smooth and effortless skater, Byram utilizes this ability to play an effective two-way game. He is not afraid to jump into the rush to create odd-man rushes and generate scoring chances.

Bowen Byram was Canada’s top defenceman at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading his country to a gold medal. Photo credit – Chris Relke

On the back end, Byram’s mind is always on transitioning the play from the defensive zone to the offensive. He possesses a considerable amount of options to get the puck out of his zone, through slick passes, safe chips off the glass, or even rushing the puck through the neutral zone himself.

Weaknesses:

• Positioning

Byram has a small tendency to get ahead of himself in the defensive zone, looking to transition the play before turning the puck over in the first place. He sometimes gets caught being aggressive in attempt to retrieve the puck, leaving himself out of position defensively. As well, Byram occasionally chases the puck away from his net-front position, leaving an opposing winger wide open.

Of course, this tendency is a result of an offensive mindset, but there are occasions where Byram needs to think defence-first in order to make the smart play and hold down the fort with responsible positioning. A small weakness which will certainly be corrected with maturity and coaching.

Future Potential:

Bowen Byram’s future in the NHL appears to forecast as a top-pairing, two-way defender who can chip in on the offensive side as well. He is an efficient transition player who moves the puck up ice with ease. Comparables include Morgan Rielly and Ryan Suter. Byram projects to be a Top-10 selection at the 2019 NHL Draft heading into the ’18-19 campaign.

NHL Prospect Profile: Kirby Dach

– Kirby Dach –

Saskatoon Blades (WHL) | Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada | January 21, 2001 | 6-foot-4, 198-pounds

Kirby Dach is a dynamic, playmaking power-forward who plays the game like a four-year veteran of the WHL. Chipping in seven goals and 46 points in 52 games for the Blades in 2017-18, Dach showcased an elite combination of skills which he boasts in all the zones of the ice.

Standing at 6-foot-4 as just a 17-year-old, it is easy to get excited about the potential within Dach, especially as he begins to fill out his frame. At the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Dach quickly became an offensive catalyst on Canada’s first line, alongside Peyton Krebs and Alexis Lafrenière, landing third in team points.

Strengths:

• Playmaking
• Puck Handling
• Size and Strength

Kirby Dach exhibits exceptional playmaking talents shift in, shift out. He sees the ice very well and can predict where his teammates and opponents will be, one-step ahead of the game. This, combined with incredible puck skills, have allowed Dach to be a perennial leader his assists at every level in his career. He can almost always find a passing lane that no one else in the rink can see.

Factor in Dach’s size and strength and you get a grinding menace to defend in the offensive zone. He protects the puck with his lower-body strength and cycles the puck admirably, creating extra time for his teammates to find open space in front of the net.

Weaknesses:

• Speed

A common theme among tall teenage players is a lacklustre skating ability. This stereotype can also be applied to Dach as well, whose top speed limits him from being an offensive machine. As he continues to grow and fill out his frame, Dach will need to find an extra gear which would allow him to blow by defenders, if he truly wants to be an elite center at the NHL level. He also needs to work on his faceoff abilities if he wants to be relied upon in all situations, as he won just 41.1% of draws in the ’17-18 season.

Future Potential:

Kirby Dach estimates to slot into a second-line center role at the NHL level for the time being. However, should his skating and faceoff abilities improve, he could certainly push the conversation as a first-line player. His playmaking abilities will always set him apart from competition. Comparables include Ryan Getzlaf and Niklas Backstrom. Heading into his NHL Draft eligible season, Dach currently projects as a Top-10 pick for 2019.

NHL Prospect Profile: Alex Newhook

– Alex Newhook –

Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) | Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

St. John’s, Newfoundland | January 28, 2001 | 5-foot-11, 183-pounds

Alex Newhook has gone on quite the adventure in his hockey career for just a 17-year-old. Born in Newfoundland, he would travel to Ontario to play for the York-Simcoe Express for his bantam and minor midget seasons, where he led the league in scoring with 43 goals and 74 points in just 33 games. With a commitment to Boston College, Newhook had a choice to either pursue NCAA hockey, or to play in the QMJHL where the Halifax Mooseheads hold his rights.

He would ultimately opt for the NCAA route, which led him to an opportunity to play for the Victoria Grizzles in British Columbia, completing his cross-country trek. In his rookie campaign, Newhook would lead the league in points-per-game, with 1.47, backed by 22 goals and 66 points in 45 games. Newhook will return as the Grizzlies’ captain for 2018-19.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Skating
• Puck Handling
• Playmaking

Alex Newhook is another on a long list of incredible forwards for the 2019 NHL Draft. Simply put, Newhook can do it all offensively. As with all top prospects in today’s era of hockey, Newhook’s success is driven by exemplary hockey sense and skating abilities. He can reach top speeds in an electric first three steps and has the agility to weave through his opponents like butter.

Combine the skating with some tremendous hands and you get a dynamic center who can be expected to produce a highlight reel goal each night. Asides from turning defenders inside out, Newhook understands how to utilize other players on the ice to generate scoring chances. He has excellent vision of the ice and can dangle through opponents with ease before setting up teammates for an open-net goal.

Weaknesses:

• Shot

It’s not easy to list Newhook’s shot as a weakness given his insane gaol totals over the years, but if there’s an area of improvement that could turn him into a superstar at the next level, it would be his shot strength. A strong portion of Newhook’s goals come from one-timers into an open cage or off of a finish to a breakaway move.

If Newhook can add some muscle and put a few more miles per hour into his shot, he would add an extra element to his bag of tricks. Giving opponents reason to respect both your shot and playmaking potential will drive teams wild and only increase Newhook’s potential as a point-producing stud in the NCAA, and even the professional ranks.

Future Potential:

Alex Newhook’s NHL outlook appears to be as a first-line center who can drive offence in multiple ways and be relied upon as a power-play weapon. He is a point-producing machine and a game-changer each night. Comparables include Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene. Newhook projects to be a top-5 selection at the 2019 NHL Draft heading into the ’18-19 campaign.

NHL Prospect Profile: Dylan Cozens

– Dylan Cozens –

Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) | Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Whitehorse, Yukon | February 9, 2001 | 6-foot-3, 176-pounds

Dylan Cozens represents the top 2019 NHL Draft prospect from Canada heading into the 2018-19 season. Further to the point, he is on a path to play the most NHL games of any Yukon born player, if he can play more than six career games.

Cozens played his way to the top points-per-game rate among 2019 prospects in the WHL during the ’16-17 campaign, racking up 22 goals and 53 points in 57 games, numbers good enough to capture the WHL Rookie of the Year. For comparison, Cozens’ 0.93 points-per-game rate ranks higher than Mathew Barzal’s and Sam Steel’s during their rookie years. Cozens recently played an imperative role towards Team Canada’s Gold Medal performance at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Skating
• Two-Way Play

Dylan Cozens is one of few 17-year-olds who understand the true importance of a 200-foot game. Sure, the phrase is often overused, but in Cozens’ case, it is completely warranted. He is regularly utilized on the penalty kill and in defensive zone faceoffs, and can often be found breaking up several scoring chances each game.

Dylan Cozens led all WHL rookies with 57 points in 2017-18, en route to capturing Rookie of the Year honours. Photo credit – Erica Perreaux

As well, despite already being 6-foot-3, Cozens can skate like the wind. He exhibits excellent agility and can handle the puck with grace at top speed. He is effective at driving wide through the offensive zone before cutting in front of the net. Further, Cozens clearly thinks the game with the best of them, with an innate sense of positioning and a tremendous vision of the developing play around him.

Weaknesses:

• Strength

At just 17 years of age, Cozens naturally has plenty of time to fill out his frame, but he remains somewhat of a lanky kid at this point. While his weight and strength has yet to slow him down at any level, some added muscle would no doubt go a long way to Cozens developing into a true power forward at the NHL level. If he gets become a stronger skater and harder to knock off the puck, Cozens will be an all-around force to be reckoned with, and should have no problems transitioning into the professional level.

Future Potential:

Dylan Cozens has all the tools to become an effective first-line center that can be relied upon in all situations. He consistently generates offence, but is also able to limit the opponent’s ability to produce scoring chances. Comparables include Leon Draisaitl and Brayden Point. Cozens currently projects to be a top-5 pick at the 2019 NHL Draft.

NHL Prospect Profile: Kaapo Kakko

– Kaapo Kakko –

TPS (Liiga) | Right Wing | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Turku, Finland | February 13, 2001 | 6-foot-1, 181-pounds

Kaapo Kakko is an elite and dynamic prospect for the 2019 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old winger spent the majority of the 2017-18 season playing for the TPS U20 team, which plays in Jr. A SM-Liiga. He tore the league apart, tallying 25 goals and 55 points over just 38 games. Kakko’s 1.47 points-per-game rank third all-time among U17 prospects playing in the league, behind only Mikael Granlund and Jesse Puljujarvi.

Kakko will likely spend the entire 2018-19 campaign in Liiga where he will be up against stiff competition each night. The greatest point-per-game rate for an NHL Draft eligible prospect in Liiga was 0.93 but, Kakko may be able to push that record.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Skating
• Puck Handling

Kaapo Kakko is an electric force to watch each night he takes the ice. He is an elusive skater who can use his edges efficiently to maneuver through traffic with ease. He reaches impressive top speeds and has the agility and acceleration to make him dangerous within the first three steps.

Kakko also reads the game extremely well, understanding where his teammates and opponents will be as the play develops. He often utilizes this ability to force turnovers and generate offence. Kakko also possesses a quick set of mitts, and frequently makes his opponents look silly by dangling through tight spaces.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive Awareness

As a winger, this undoubtedly has less of an impact than it would for a center, but Kakko has room for improvement in his defensive game. As with most 17-year-olds, Kakko’s game revolves around his offensive abilities, but a slight increase in his awareness within his own zone would go a long way to further convincing NHL scouts of his immense value. A few simple adjustments in positioning and stick locations would morph Kakko into an all-around superstar on the ice. As with all top prospects, it takes some serious nit-picking to find a flaw in Kakko’s game.

Future Potential:

Kaapo Kaako projects to be a potent first-line winger and a game-changer in the NHL who could rack up north of 35 goals and 80 points in his prime years. Comparables include Sebastian Aho and Filip Forsberg. Entering the 2018-19 season, Kakko ranks as a top-3 pick for the 2019 NHL Draft.

NHL Prospect Profile: Jack Hughes

– Jack Hughes –

USA Hockey’s NTDP | Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Orlando, Florida | May 14, 2001 | 5-foot-10, 161-pounds

Jack Hughes enters the 2018-19 season as the consensus 1st overall pick for the 2019 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old center broke all kinds of NTDP records as a U17 player during the ’17-18 campaign, running up 40 goals and 116 points in 60 games, 36 of which came with the U18 team as an underaged player.

For comparison sake, Hughes’ point total fell just one short of the all-time NTDP record, which was set by none other than Auston Matthews during his second year with the program in 2014-15. Hughes appears to be set to annihilate the competition this year, where he will play both USHL and NCAA opponents, and will likely be a large part of USA’s U20 World Junior squad come December.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Skating
• Playmaking

Jack Hughes is, simply put, a dynamic player who can dictate the game in any shift. He understands the game incredibly well for a 17-year-old, visibly outthinking his opponents and articulating the best play available before it develops. His skating is is exceptional, with the ability to blow by opponents as well as the elusiveness to cut in and out, and edgework that is second-to-none.

Jack Hughes have quickly become the runaway favourite to go 1st overall at the 2019 NHL Draft. Photo Credit – Rena Laverty and USA Hockey’s NTDP

Putting those two attributes together results in an exemplary playmaker. Hughes utilizes his vision of the ice to understand when and where a lane will open up, and combines his skating abilities to maximize the output of his teammates. He can pull defenders towards him before setting up a wide-open teammate, or go to a quiet area with the puck before threading a pass through traffic.

Weaknesses:

• Strength

It’s not an easy task to outline Hughes’ weaknesses, because there are seemingly none in his game. The one category that could use some improvement would be his strength. By no means is Hughes a towering center, but he certainly plays bigger than his size would indicate. His strength doesn’t hold him back in any manner at the NTDP level, but in preparing for the NHL, Hughes would be wise to add some muscle.

As a center, he definitely needs it to become reliable in the faceoff circle, in boxing out the opposing center from his own net-front, and to improve in board battles. Again, this is not necessarily a weakness as much as it is an area for potential improvement.

Future Potential:

Jack Hughes forecasts to be a dynamic, point producing, first-line center in the NHL. He possesses all the tools to be a game-changer at the next level and should become a perennial all-star in just a few years. Comparables  include Patrick Kane and Clayton Keller. Hughes ranks as the consensus 1st overall pick for the 2019 NHL Draft heading into the ’18-19 season.